Context No. 3099 of 4322 · Nehemiah

Nehemiah 11:7-14: in context

7These are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah. 8After him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight. 9Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city. 10Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin, 11Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house, 12and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah, 13and his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ households, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

This lists the men of Benjamin and the priests who settled in Jerusalem after the exile, family by family, with their numbers and their overseers, including many able men for the work of the house of God.

After the walls were rebuilt, Jerusalem still needed people willing to live in it, and this list names those who did. Living in the holy city, still vulnerable and half-empty, was itself an act of commitment; the text tells us elsewhere that lots were cast and the people blessed those who volunteered to dwell there. These named settlers, priests, Benjaminites, capable men for the work of the house, chose to plant their lives in the place where God's purpose centered, even when it would have been easier and safer to live elsewhere. God's work needs not only the builders of walls but the dwellers who commit to live where he is at work.

Am I willing not just to help with God's work from a distance, but to commit my life to where he is working, even when it is harder and less comfortable?

Sources

Nehemiah 11:2: "The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem."
Nehemiah 11:12: "Their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two."
Psalm 87:2: "The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob."